Old Answers and New Questions

Animus waits until just after the spirit twitches, hoping to form an Imago before the spirit recognizes its opening. But even the expected pain proves enough to disrupt his concentration and ruin the spell. He tries the tactic again, but this time the spirit catches on and interrupts the spell with a jerk that once again sends him reeling.

Spoiler:

Once he's recovered enough to speak, Animus growls in frustration at the spirit: "This spell's important. Let it through without scraping me, and you can keep feeding as you have been. But if you interrupt me in the middle of this one, I will force you out afterward."

~~Narration~~

Armstrong's Sybil Sight reveals the usual, soft glows around the other men, formed from her interaction with them. Walking through the hostel, nothing of note catches her eye, until she traces a sparkle under the refrigerator, revealing a corkscrew-shaped metal shaving.

Joshua's attempts to locate gunpowder lead him to his own firearm, and then dead end. He can sense traces outside on the lawn, and from his car's tire, but that seems to be it.

After Animus delivers his ultimatum, the spirit seems to calm, and wait for him to cast again before beginning anew.

(( No pain Penalty, Successive Attempts penalties still apply ))

Zero wanders through the library and kitchen, running his hands along the tops of the bookshelves and cabinets, eventually producing a zip-loc full of green, odorous leaves.

He gives everyone an apologetic shrug. "Couldn't look before while Zilker was here."

Armstrong goes through the drawers until she finds some salad tongs that she uses to pick up the shaving and a sandwich baggie for her to put it in. She doesn't want to contaminate it at all. She calls out, "I think I found something!". Then she holds it up in front of her eye and burbles in High Speech as she tries to pick out any Interconnections between the shaving and the room. Maybe if she could figure out what it came from she could get more information.

Spoiler:

Armstrong gets the distinct impression the shaving has spent a lot of time in the kitchen, but only as an incomplete part of something.

Zero watches her, chewing something.

Armstrong continues to burble in High Speech as she tries using Space to locate the rest of whatever it is the shaving came from.

Spoiler:

The Imago dissipates, without a Target in Range.

"Oh fuck yes. Zero," she turns towards him. "Can you... What are you chewing?" She waves the question aside. "Nevermind, do you know any Time magic?

Animus turns to Zero. "This will let you see the shadow realm, including the abyssal cloud hovering over this place. Don't fight it." With a few muttered High Speech words, Animus focuses his will, determined to see this spell succeed. As it takes hold on Zero, Animus gasps from the suddenly renewed pain.

Spoiler:

Just like Dr. Primoria, and he's not even a Mystagogue. Animus takes a moment to force back his annoyance -- not at all easy with the spirit appendage painfully lodged in his back -- before saying anything. "Zero, do you mind explaining about that cloud?"

Armstrong rolls her good eye. "Fine, but you're paying. And you're going to be sober for the duration."

Animus feels a sudden urge to take out his mounting frustration on Zero. It fades just as quickly, leaving him to wonder just how close he is to the breaking point. He sighs heavily, knowing that Zero is probably right.

Armstrong follows Animus and Joshua into the next room, leaving Zero to his cheese. "I found a metal shaving!" She says it like someone might say "I found a way to provide clean, free energy to the entire world!"

"I'm having enough trouble keeping a clear head without -- " As if to emphasize his point, the spirit twitches yet again, cutting him off. Why do people do that to themselves?

Animus reads the message and starts to shake his head, aborting the gesture as pain once again stabs through his back. "Doesn't anyone believe in telling people what they need to know? I think we've found all we can here, though. Let's go see what the Guardians want." Can the spirit's information possibly be worth what it put me through?

(( Nice Scene, guys ))